He is set to meet with housing minister Mark Prisk to highlight problems with HMOs and talk about the impact they have on communities – specifically the issue of migrant workers forced into paying over-the-odds to live in crowded homes.
Action needs to be taken to deal with landlords who exploit vulnerable people in the community, Mr Barclay says.
Poorly-run HMOs are a “real concern” for Fenland residents and discussing what can be done to change the rules is necessary, he continues.
During the meeting the MP will provide the minister with an update on the multi-agency taskforce Operation Pheasant, which was launched in March.
This initiative, which involves Fenland District Council, Cambridgeshire Police, the Gangmasters Licensing authority and other bodies, has already investigated hundreds of properties which are overcrowded and offer poor living conditions.
The task force has also uncovered human trafficking with migrant workers kept in shared homes against their will.
Rubbish landlord ordered to clean up
An HMO owner in Basingstoke has been ordered to clean up his act.
A house in the Oakridge suburb was described as an eyesore, with rubble and rubbish in front and back gardens and a plank of wood used to access the front door.
The owner, who rents the house to four tenants, was accused of starting work on an extension but then abandoning the project. He has been ordered by Basingstoke Council to return the home to an acceptable standard and carry out several improvements.
Local councillor Paul Harvey says this problem highlights the need for a landlord register.
Student HMO approval
In Scotland, a developer has won conditional approval to turn a flat in Dundee into student accommodation.
West One Properties applied for an HMO licence to turn the flat from a two-bed to a three-bed and the licensing committee granted the bid until a review at a scheduled meeting in September.
